Clayton, N.C. — Work on the U.S. Highway 70 Bypass around Clayton could be finished as early as mid-July – almost a year ahead of schedule – according to the state Department of Transportation.
The $123.5 million project, which stretches almost 11 miles from Interstate 40 at the Wake-Johnston county line east toward Smithfield, was supposed to be completed by June 2009. A DOT spokesman said good weather has allowed crews to move the expected completion date to July 15.
Work began on the project in June 2005, and it was more than 96 percent complete Tuesday, the spokesman said. When it opens, the highway is expected to speed beach traffic from the Triangle and shorten the daily commute for many Johnston County residents who work in Raleigh, Durham and Research Triangle Park.



![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/out_and_about/2012/02/02/10707648/bbpics_miyon53519-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/lifestyles/travel/2012/02/09/10710709/10710709-1328829176-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wralsportsfan.com/asset/basketball/2012/02/09/10705803/10705803-1328766083-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/lifestyles/travel/2012/02/08/10704761/10704761-1328743348-100x75.jpg)





WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The US 70 now through Clayton was a bypass around the old highway through downtown Clayton and Garner. Now it's the problem. This new bypass could be the same too in a few years.
I'm not saying that the bypass is bad, but it's only a temporary fix. Public transit would be cheaper in the long run than building highway after highway. Both are needed and should be worked on, but short-sightedness is going to cost us all.
Try riding a bus to a job from Johnston county some time. It isn't even possible.
April 3, 2008 10:14 a.m.
April 1, 2008 4:48 p.m.
April 1, 2008 4:36 p.m.
The biggest problem is that the Feds have been witholding funds from the states. I believe it was to the tune of 122 billion last year. The fact is that in times of war funds are diverted from they usual purposes.
April 1, 2008 4:31 p.m.
April 1, 2008 3:35 p.m.